A Game of Hearts - Review

A Game of Hearts (The Cartwells, # 1)

By: Joanna Barker

Publication: October 6, 2022 by Rose Petal Press

321 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Clean Romance, Regency

Source: Personal Kindle Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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Goodreads description--If you can't join them, beat them.

Marigold Cartwell has only one to defeat her long-time rival on the archery field. She knows she can outshoot irritating, cynical Tristan Gates, but the local bowmen’s society—the one he belongs to—refuses to allow women to compete. Spurred on by their rejection, Marigold decides to start a new society. Naturally, it has only one no men.

Tristan Gates is used to Marigold Cartwell always getting her way, so he is far from surprised when she forms her own society. He knows how relentless she can be, something he learned firsthand facing her at the targets. But Tristan has enough worries of his own, what with his bachelor uncle falling in love with a fortune hunter. He has no time to entertain Marigold’s ambitions.

However, after a visit to the seashore ends in disaster—and scandal—Marigold and Tristan soon realize how little they know about each other. The strained tension between them quickly turns to simmering attraction, but an important archery competition looms ahead. Lines are drawn all around them, with Marigold and Tristan on opposite sides, and neither can afford to lose. Yet winning might be the very thing to tear them apart.

Joanna Barker is a sneaky author in that I often don't see much marketing for her books before they are released. Some I have found on NetGalley, but often not. Some of her books slip up on me even though I regularly check my repeat authors for upcoming books. A Game of Hearts snuck up on me. I would have loved to have read this one back when it was published, but here we are.

A Game of Hearts reminded me of Highcliffe House by Megan Walker. Marigold and Tristan have an antagonistic relationship. Marigold thinks Tristan thinks he's a better archer than her, but he generally annoys her. Tristan thinks Marigold is spoiled and used to getting what she wants. He thinks that no matter the rules of society or the situation, she will steamroll ahead until she gets whatever she wants. Often, enemies-to-lovers stories have hints of flirting, but the interactions between Marigold and Tristan weren't backed by romantic tension at first. That is until the trip to the seashore alluded to in the description.

But let's back up. Marigold is the 2nd child. She has a sizable dowry. Yet her parents were a love match, and she hopes for the same. She had one season in London and came back with an interested suitor who is likely to propose soon if given more time in her company. But most of all, Marigold has a passion for archery. And she's good. She practices constantly. Her goal has been to be accepted into a local archery club that only allows men since only clubs are allowed to compete in prize tournaments. When she sees that this isn't happening, she creates a women's club for archery and has a surprising turnout.

Tristan is the heir to his uncle's estate. His uncle is widowed, but he's young enough yet to remarry. Tristan has been living with his uncle since his parents passed away. And he's worried that his uncle is being led into a relationship with a potential fortune hunter. Tristan loves archery too, but he has more on his plate than archery at the same time. But that's easy to say when he's allowed into the club and the prize tournaments because he's male. Marigold is often an annoyance to him, but he finds himself trapped in a position of doing the honorable thing or not.

I liked that Marigold and Tristan didn't have a typical start. Both were opposed to marriage to each other at first. But circumstances pushed these two together, and I liked the work they had to put in to come out on the other side stronger. But hey, I'm a sucker for forced marriage storylines.

A Game of Hearts was a solid, enjoyable book. I liked that Tristan and Marigold mostly misunderstood each other, and were opposed to any relationship at first. I like to see what couples are forced to go through to make things go from nonexistent to allies to team to happily married. A Game of Hearts gets 4 Stars. Have you read A Game of Hearts? What did you think? Let me know!